RECRUITING.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 November 1915, Page 3

RECRUITING.

mi:. i>. McLaren at stratfurix (From Our Own Correspondent.) Stratford, Saturday. At the send-od to the men leaving with the next draft of reinforcements at Stratford, on Thursday night, Mr. D. McLaren, of Wellington, delivered a fine address. Mr. McLaren said he was pleased to be present at sudi a gathering. He did not address them (is strangers, but as the people of New Zealand, all prepared to do their best for the Empire. To those who had just returned, he would simply say, 'Shake, boys, shake; it is fine to see you back.' To those who were leaving, he wished them well in the work they were undertaking. He proposed to treat his subject in throe parts: (1) What is the meaning of this war? (2) Is it worth while winning? (3) What are we prepared to give to win? That great American general. Genera! Sherwin, when asked to define war, replied, "War is Hell," and there was no doubt he was right. What is the meaning of (his war? After fifteen mouths of this world struggle he was afraid some of the people did not vet realise what it is. He supported the war. not because it was war. but because of German militarism and the suppressing of the super-fiend of to-day. For six months the people of Engiand and this Dominion did not conceive what the war meant. The battle of Waterloo seemed a stupendous task, and one of the most wonderful events in English history, yet the whole of the British troops engaged in it did not amount to the number we had already sent from New Zealand. France had suffered, but was not "whining." but was boldly saying to the world that there cannot be peace till despotism is a thing to be blotted out forever. The only people who thought they knew anything about the war in England was the XorthcliO'e Press, whose "cheek" was past all understanding, and it would be a very good thing for journalism if the gentlemen wlm managed the papers were given a holiday in the tren.hes, instead of sitting in their offices in London, doing their best, to damage the Government and all taking part in this struggle. Europe and the civilised world were a! present at death grips with people in higher places, not against councils of the law class, but against the criminality of the Kaiser and Germany, Austria, and Turkey, and the sooner wc recognised it the better for the Empire. Britain had charged Germany with crimes of the blackest kind, but not one country had reflected against Britain or her Allies. Britain was not the only nation to make charges against Germany. America had repeatedly ■charged her with crimes. The proved charges against Germany were so hellish that he would not even repeat them, even if he was in the company of men only. Who could listen to the'story "f the cold-blooded murder of Nurse Ci= i without a feeling of horror? Miss Caved was a nurse who had a duty to perform, to eare for the sick, the wounded, and the dying, and she not only looked after the sick and wounded of iier own country but those of Germany as well, and never in the history of the world had such treatment been meted out to a man, let alone a woman.

''Men," said Mr. McLaren, "if you love your mothers, sisters, wives," or sweethearts think of this cruel crime, and there will be no need for me to appeal to you for your services." This is a great war of ideals—British ideals on one hand, and German wild ideals on the other. The ideals of Germany are that might is everything and right is nothing. Britain had made many mistakes and blunders, but for all tliat she had always stood for democracy, and we could think of nothing finer than South Africa, and what she had done for that Empire. In travelling up and down the country it was surprising to hear people who were content to sit back in their easy chairs, saying that Britain will win alright. He was confident that Britain would win, but it would not be easy. 'For the sake of the women and children of our country it was necessary to win outright. If the war is -worth winning outright, then how much are we prepared to give? There are three things, men, money, and munitions, and they were not needed for a day, but for to-morrow and many tomorrows. People said that men of military age should give them all, but men who were made to go and fight should remember that they cannot expect them to give all, unless they are prepared to do their best as well. We had been singing our patriotism in music halls or elsewhere, but the time had come to give of our best. Those who cannot go to the firing line, but had the means to give, ought to thank God that they wero in a positon to give. The speaker quoted several instances of men who could give, but had not. In one instance a man in the Waiarapa district, after he (the speaker) had addressed a meeting said that after he had given £SOO to the Relief Funds, that he felt he slept better at night. The i'speaker said if there were any present I who were not sleeping well, and had the means to give, that they might profit by his Wairarapa friend's experience, and he was sure that Patriotic Committee would be pleased to receive his contribution. Men were continually coming back from the firing line wounded, some maimed for life, and he contended that if a man gave more than a thousand pounds he gave nothing in comparison to the man who gives his life. We wanted all the forces we could command. Mr. McLaren appealed to every man of military age to give his services to his country, and those who could not give their services at the front should lie soldiers at home and do their best by giving and helping in every way in assisting the Empire. He was sorry to say that he found many shirkers and laggards. lie was ashamed to say so. but it was the truth. The Mayor of Hamilton told him of an instance of a settler in a big way, owner of many acres, and the possessor of a substantial bank balance, who had four sons. Two of them were breaking their hearts to get away to the firing line, but the poor miserable specimen of a father whose god was gold, had warned the boys that if they enlisted he would cut them oil' his will without a shilling. The Mayor told this individual that he was worse than a shirker, and a disgrace to the country he lived in. Mr. McLaren said he was proud of the women and mothers of New Zealand, who were so nobly giving up their hoys for the Empire. Could anyone think of the feelings of a mother saying goodbye to her boy, and thinking that perhaps .she would never see his face again? He had found that the women were as anxious to serve their country as were the men. He wanted the young men to listen to the cry from fiallipoli. "Away on the hill sides your brothers, comrades, and men are calling. We are clinging to the hill and we will not give way, but we want your help. Send us more reinforcements. Come, come, and Kerve your Kins and country, for it is in